Programme Features
The Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (BEng[BME]) at HKU is a unique interdisciplinary programme offered through the collaboration of the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, and Science. It is designed to nurture the next generation of engineers who will combine engineering rigor with biomedical innovation to improve health and quality of life. The programme equips students to:
- apply engineering solutions to advance biomedical research and healthcare
- address global health challenges with ethical, professional, and social responsibility
- innovate and translate cutting-edge technologies into real-world medical applications
Interdisciplinary Excellence
Our programme brings together the expertise of the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, and Science, offering a truly interdisciplinary education. Co-designed and co-taught courses bridge engineering fundamentals with biomedical applications, ensuring a well-rounded curriculum. This collaboration empowers the programme’s engineering rigor while seamlessly integrating biomedical sciences and clinical practices.
Flexible Curriculum Design
The programme that allows students to tailor their study plans to their strengths, interests, and career goals. It combines a strong foundation in engineering principles with opportunities to explore diverse areas of biomedical engineering. Key features include: Specialization Opportunities (BME foci), and Articulation Pathway to MBBS: This adaptable curriculum equips students with a unique blend of expertise, preparing them to address complex challenges at the intersection of engineering and medicine.
Diverse Experiential Learning Opportunities
The programme puts strong emphasises on hands-on training that bridges classroom knowledge with real-world applications, including:
- lab shadowing in junior years for early exposure to research and clinical settings
- BME-specific workshops to build practical skills in advanced technologies
- summer internships with top industry partners and research institutions locally and globally
- Final-year projects, tackling real-world challenges in interdisciplinary teams under faculty mentorship
Pathways to Specialization (BME Foci)
Students have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following areas, based on their interests and career goals:
- Advanced Biomedical Signals and Systems: exploring innovative signal processing techniques for diagnostics and therapeutic devices
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: designing materials and systems for regenerative medicine and medical device applications
- Biomechanics and Biotransport: investigating mechanical properties of biological systems and transport phenomena in the human body
- Biomedical Imaging Technologies and Applications: developing cutting-edge imaging techniques to enhance medical diagnostics and treatment
- Omics Technologies: applying bioinformatics and AI for precision medicine and healthcare innovations
“Our BEng(BME) programme thrives on a foundation of collaboration and inclusivity, bringing together expertise from the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, Dentistry, and Science. This partnership creates a dynamic and supportive community where students can thrive, benefiting from interdisciplinary mentorship and cooperative teamwork. We foster an environment that encourages lifelong learning, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit, empowering students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to BME. Together, we are shaping a new generation of innovators who will make a lasting impact on society.”
Professor Kevin K.M. Tsia
BEng(BME) Programme Director
Professor, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
HKU BME – Past, Present & Future
Programme Structure
The 4-year curriculum offers progressive and in-depth training for the current advancements in biomedical engineering. Students are required to complete a total of 240 credits, comprising the following categories:
University Requirements (54 credits)
A series of University language courses and common core courses
Engineering Core Courses (42 credits)
A group of foundation courses covering electrical and mechanical engineering, essential mathematics, and computer programming
BME Discipline Courses: Core (48 credits)
Covers fundamental courses related to BME & life sciences
BME Discipline Courses: Advanced (42 credits)
Provides training for in-depth technical knowledge relevant to BME
BME Discipline Courses: Electives (30 credits)
Provides foci where students could specialize in, such as:
Advanced biomedical signals and systems
Biomaterials and tissue engineering
Biomechanics and biotransport
Biomedical imaging technologies and applications
Omics technologies
Final Year Project (12 credits)
A piece of original research under the supervision of academic staff from Medicine & Engineering
Elective Courses (12 credits)
Courses that can be taken in any discipline and any level
Admissions Information
For JUPAS Candidates
In addition to satisfying the University entrance requirements, candidates for admissions shall satisfy all of the following requirements in HKDSE:
b) attain at least level 3 in two electives*, one of which must be:
(i) Biology or
(ii) Chemistry or
(iii) Physics or
(iv) Combined Science
* Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 (M1) / Module 2 (M2)) will be recognised as equivalent to a full elective subject and are preferred.
Scoring Formula
English + Mathematics + Best 3 subjects^
^ May include M1/M2 or Category C subject whichever is higher
Consideration of Other Factors
- Interview performance
- Bonus point under special consideration
Consideration of HKDSE Combined Results & Penalty for HKDSE Repeaters
- Best results in the recent three years
Interview
Before release of HKDSE results
- June 2025
For Non-JUPAS Candidates
University Entrance Requirements
Additional Requirements
- High School Level Mathematics
- High School Level Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Interview
- Candidates will be invited from Mid-December 2024 to Late-March 2025 tentatively
Advanced Standing
Applicants with GCE A-Level or IB Diploma qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University are eligible to apply for up to 30 credits of advanced standing. These are made up of 24 UG5 credits (Chinese, Core University English and 12 credits of Common Core course from different Areas of Inquiry) and 6 credits unspecified electives.
Applicants with other qualifications and at least seven years of secondary education at the time of being admitted to the University will be considered for Advanced Standing on a case-by-case basis.
Competitive Score for IB Diploma and GCE/International A-level Candidates^
IB:
- A total of 36 out of 45
- Grade 6 or better in one of the following subjects: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL), Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (HL); and
- Grade 5 or better in one of the following subjects: Biology (HL) / Chemistry (HL) / Physics (HL) or Grade 6 or better in one of the following subjects: Biology (SL) / Chemistry (SL) / Physics (SL)
GCE/International A-level:
- 1A*2A (excluding Chinese and English language subjects)
- Grade A or above in one of the following AL subjects: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Pure Mathematics; and
- Grade A or above in one of the following AL subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
^ Competitive Score refers to the score which most successful candidates achieved over the past few years. Please note however that achieving the Competitive Score does not guarantee admission to the programme as admission decisions are based on a number of factors.
Articulation, Recognition & Career Prospects
Articulation
Students with outstanding academic performance can apply to attach to the MBBS curriculum for one semester. Subject to satisfactory completion of the BEng(BME) Programme, the BME graduates may apply for admission to the MBBS Programme. Upon satisfying the admission criteria and process of the MBBS programme, they may be given advanced standing credits for some of the biomedical sciences components that they had already completed during their BME studies.
Recognition and Career Prospects
BEng(BME) is accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and is mutually recognized by most countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. Such recognition widens graduates’ career opportunities globally.
With interdisciplinary education and dedicated mentorship, the BME graduates are instilled with a motivation for life-long learning and passion for innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and scientific discovery. They will find that they have a broad range of career options such as in the biotechnology industry in research and development (including co-founding biotechnology start-ups), practising as medical physicists in hospitals, biomedical engineers in hospital and other public sectors, and further education in graduate (Master or Ph. D. degrees) in Hong Kong or overseas.